Having started life as a manufacturer of dehumidification equipment back in the 50’s before moving into property damage restoration we know a thing or two about drying properties. Indeed, most industry experts will still regard us as the ‘drying company’ even though our portfolio of services is much greater than that.

In this section you will find handy advice and guidance on water damage restoration. If you are a policyholder we hope you find something useful in this content. For insurance professionals, please read our Technical Guide for advice and further information on water damage restoration. 

Advice for Policyholders

If your property has been affected by water damage, Polygon is here to help. Our restoration experts are trained to assess, repair and return your home or business back to its original state as quickly as possible.

At Polygon, we know that water damage can have a serious impact, both on the buildings affected and on the people who live or work there.

Whether it’s the result of a relatively minor leak or catastrophic flood, the water damage restoration process relies on the critical factors of speed, knowledge and technical skill to mitigate the effects.

The signs of water damage

At its worst, water damage presents itself in clear and obvious ways, with ceilings or floors rotting or even collapsing as a result. But before situations become this serious, or in cases where the damage is less extensive, there may be less prominent indications that water is present. These include areas of discolouration as well as uneven surfaces, peeling of paint and mouldiness. Further to the visible evidence, water damage can also be identified through the musty smell of damp, which could provide an early warning sign or hint at a hidden issue that requires deeper examination.

Classes of water damage

There are four levels of water damage, which are used describe the extent of the problem and the level of response required.

Class 1

This is the lowest of the four levels, where minimal harm has been caused.

Class 2

At this level, water damage has spread beyond a localised area. Soft furnishing may be affected and there will be a smell of damp. It’s likely that the restoration process will be more complex.

Class 3

This applies to cases of water damage where structural aspects of the building, such as floors, walls, and ceilings, have been exposed to large volumes of water. The restoration process will be more involved and will require thorough investigation.

Class 4

This is the most severe level of damage, where the structure of the building has been deeply saturated. Restoration should be carried out by qualified and experienced damage management specialists who have the relevant skills and necessary drying equipment.

Categories of water damage

The severity of water damage corresponds to the type of water involved. This is broken down into one of three categories:

Category 1:  Clean Water

Water that is uncontaminated at source and does not present a health risk.

Category 2: Grey water

Water that has become contaminated with bacteria or pollutants. It is unsafe for consumption and likely to cause illness.

Category 3: Black water

Foul-smelling and containing high levels of harmful contaminants, such as bacteria and toxins. Presents a clear and potentially serious risk to health.

The water damage restoration process

The process of water damage restoration will typically start with any residual water being pumped away so that furniture and other valuables can be removed, and further damage can be prevented. This is followed by the introduction of energy-efficient drying and dehumidification equipment.

Factors such as the composition of the wet materials, airflow and humidity levels all combine to determine the approach, which sometimes requires the use of heat mats or heat sticks in addition to standard equipment. In certain cases, Polygon takes on responsibility for restoration of the site, such as replacement of wall and floor materials or the rebuilding of fittings.

Urgent, large-scale water damage response

For large-scale disasters, Polygon has an emergency stock of dehumidifiers, fans and other equipment that can be deployed throughout Europe within 24 hours. Our Euro-stock is unique and gives us the capacity to respond to major incidents with immediate action.

Access to the property

By using technology such as remote monitoring, we can take continuous measurements of temperature, humidity, moisture content and carbon dioxide levels, which helps reduce both drying times and the number of site visits while keeping customers better informed.

The importance of experience and know how

Every case of water damage is different, with some much more serious than others, but they are consistent in that they all cause distress to those affected. Managing the situation and restoring the property to its former condition in the fastest, most effective way requires the support of a specialist.

Polygon is a trusted partner of many of the UK’s biggest insurers, having dealt with thousands of flooded homes. If you need water damage restoration services, we are by your side 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

For more information, contact us on: 01480 442327